Method and apparatus for waterproofing basements



July 25, 1967 M. c. ADAMS 3,332,185

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WATERPROOFING BASEME NTS Filed Oct. 28. 1963 Im.l4.'ll.4lllAV/lj v ATTORNEY United States Patent sota Filed Oct. 28,1963, Ser. No. 319,397 5 Claims. (Cl. 52-287) This invention rel-ates toa method and apparatus for waterproofing basements of buildings andsimilar subsurface structures.

Considerable difficulty is experienced in maintaining basements dry inwet Weather. Much of this difiiculty is created by the seepage of waterbeneath the outside Wall of the basement and upwardly between the floorand the inner surface of the Wall. In other instances, the wateractually drains into the cement blocks forming the wall from windowwells and other such locations. It is an object of the present inventionto provide a simple and effective means of eliminating free moisture onthe floor of the basement.

Cracks located in the juncture between the basement wall and the floorare extremely difficult to avoid, and also very difficult to correctonce they occur. In the present invention, instead of attempting to fillup the crack and prevent the leakage, means are provided foraccommodating the moisture which does seep into the basement and toconvey the moisture to a suitable drain.

An object of the present invention resides in the formation of a drainduct at the juncture of the outside basement wall and the basement floorwhich is sealed relative to the floor and relative to the Wall andthrough which water seepage into the basement at this point may becontained. Means is provided for communicating this duct to a floordrain leading to the sewer system. As a result, any water which seepsthrough the joint between the wall and the floor is confined to theinterior of the duct leading to the sewer drain.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that inthe preferred form of construction of the invention, the pressure of theliquid tending to seep through cracks and joints is relieved by formingopenings through the floor adjoining the wall and terminating within theduct which permits the flow of liquid to the duct through which it isconveyed to the sewer drain. By relieving the liquid pressure, the flowof the liquid through cracks is minimized, tending to preventenlargement of the cracks andrinjury to the building due to the seepageof water.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that inthe event water leaks into the cells of the concrete blocks as oftentakes place at a window well or the like, this moisture may also bedrained by providing drain passages through the interior walls of theblocks communicating with the interior of the duct. As a result, anywater draining into the blocks will be directed through the drain ductto the sewer drain.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of aductstructure which may easily be applied to the juncture between eachouter basement wall and the basement fioor. In preferred form, the ductcomprises a flexible strip which is anchored to the wall along a linespaced above the floor and which is anchored to the floor along a linespaced from the wall thereby providing a I generally triangular duct atthe juncture between the wall and the floor. When anchored in place, adurable water impervious plastic coating is applied to the surface ofthe strip. The plastic covering, when cured, is lightly sanded and asecond top coating is applied. The plastic is of a 7 type which sealssecurely to the wall and to the floor, and

3,332,185 Patented July 25, 1967 when completed the duct forming memberis usually about one-quarter of an inch in thickness. As a result, theduct in effect, forms an integral part of the basement and has theappearance of a covering about the periphery of the floor.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact thatremovable plugs are provided in the duct forming member in alignmentwith the holes through the fioor. By removing these plugs periodically,the holes may be cleaned out so as to remain open at all times.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision ofone or more normally closed couplings to which a flexible hose, such asa garden hose, may be attached. Water may be introduced into the ductfrom time to time from the building water system so as to flush out theduct and keep it clean.

An added feature of the present invention resides in the provision of atubular connection leading from the interior of the duct to the sewerdrain. This duct is preferably recessed into a groove in the basementfloor and covered with the plastic material to a level flush with thesurface of the floor. An aperture is drilled in the sewer draincommunicating with the tubular connection to permit effective drainageof the water.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention willbe more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification andclaims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification;

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view on a horizontal sectionthrough a basement wall and looking at the basement floor.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view on a vertical plane through the juncture ofthe wall and basement, the position of the section being indicated bythe line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is another sectional view through the duct, the position of thesection being indicated by the line 33 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is another sectional view through the duct, the position of thesection being indicated by the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is another vertical section through the duct, the position ofthe section being indicated by the line 55 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE '6 is a sectional view through the duct and drain tube, theposition of the section being indicated by line 66 of FIGURE 1.

It should be recognized at the outset that the illustrations are to someextent diagrammatic, as basements vary in many ways. For example, insome instances, no problem is found with leakage of moisture into theinterior of the blocks so that certain of the drain openings disclosedin the drawings may not be required. In other instances, no leakageoccurs at the juncture between the wall and the floor, but considerabledifiiculty is experienced because of leakage into the interiors of theblocks. In such an instance, the aperture drilled through the floor maybe eliminated. It should'further be recognized that in some instancesall of the difliculty may occur adjoining one or two of the basementwalls. In such a case, it may not be necessary to provide the ductadjoining all of the walls.

The basement wall is indicated in general by the numeral 10 While thefloor is indicated in general by the numeral 11. It seems to be mostcommon practice, in building basements, to pour a footing and build awall, usually of concrete blocks having open cores 12 therethrough. Thefloor 11 is usually poured after the wall is in place. In view of thefact that most of the weight of the house or building rests upon thefootings, any settling of the house tends to form a crack at thejuncture between the wall 10 and flooring 11. During a rainstorm, thewater tends to drain into the ground, and creates a pressure whichforces the water up through the crack thus formed. This action has atendency to widen the crack and to thereby increase hte difficulty. Asthe basement floor 11 usually slopes toward one or more sewer drains 13,the floors of many basements are covered with water after the rain.

Where the major portion of the basement wall 10 is below the groundlevel, it is common practice to provide window wells in the groundexterior of the wall and to provide windows through the wall at thesepoints. If the window wells are not provided with suitable drains, or ifthe drains become clogged with leaves or other such material, water hasa tendency to build up in the window wells. In many instances, the waterdrains through cracks surrounding the window frames and into theinterior of the blocks forming the wall or into the interior of thecores 12 of the individual blocks 14. This water has a tendency togradually soak through the blocks or at least work its way through anyapertures in the mortar between the blocks causing the basement walls tobe wet. Paints have been provided designed for use in sealing suchwalls, but such paints do not actually solve the problem as the wallsstill contain the moisture. If the moisture cannot escape, and theportions of the block are exposed to the elements, there is apossibility that the water will freeze and crack the wall.

With this in mind, the duct 15 has been provided at the juncture betweenthe wall 10 and the basement floor 11. This duct includes an innerflexible layer 16 which may be of plastic sheeting or may even be awoven fabric material impregnated with plastic. As indicated in FIG- URE3, a strip or band of adhesive plastic material is applied to the wall10 at a point spaced above the surface of the floor 11 as indicated inexaggerated thickness at 17. The flexible duct liner 16 is adhered tothe inner surface 19 of the wall 10 by this adhesive 17. Care is takento seal the upper edge of the liner 16 with respect to the wall, and thecracks between the blocks are preferably filled with the plasticadhesive material. The material used is preferably one of those types ofmaterials in which two chemical compositions are mixed just prior toapplication, one composition reacting with the other to form a curedplastic after a predetermined time.

A second strip or band 18 is applied to the surface of the floor 11 at apoint spaced from the inner surface 19 of the wall 10. The lower edge ofthe duct liner 16 is adhered to the fioor by the adhesive 18 which isshown in exaggerated thickness in FIGURE 3. Prior to attaching the ductliner in place, certain other operations take place, the nature of whichdepends upon the individual problem if the homes have been occupied forsome time and problems have been experienced. In new homes, the

duct is preferably laced to connect each outside wall and an adjoiningarea of the floor. As indicated in FIGURE of the drawings, holes such as20 may be drilled through the floor closely adjoining the inner surfaceof the wall 10, these holes being of sufficient diameter to permit afree flow of fiuid. In practice, the holes have usually been a half inchin diameter. The holes 20 may be drilled at desired intervals throughoutthe length of the area being enclosed by the duct 15. The holes 20eliminate or at least modify the fluid pressure of the water drainingdown outwardly of the wall by permitting water to flow upwardly throughthe holes 20 and into the interior of the finished duct. Apertures areformed in the liner 16 above each aperture 20 in the floor, and plugs 21are supported in the apertures. These plugs 21 are preferably moldedinto the duct as the duct is completed, and may be removed after theplastic has set. The purpose of the plugs 21 is to provide apertures 22through the Wall forming the duct 15 in alignment with the apertures 20so that dirt and other material may be cleaned out of the holes 20 atdesired intervals.

If any problem exists or is contemplated due to the leakage of waterinto the interior of the wall, drain openings 23 may be formed throughthe inner portions of the block, the main passages communicating withcertain of the hollow cores 12. If desired, opening 24 may be providedin the liner 16 opposite each aperture 23 to accommodate a removableplug 25. However, in usual practice the plugs 25 are omitted as thewater draining through the holes 23 normally keeps them open.

Also as a preparatory step, a channel-shaped groove 24 is formed in theupper surface 28 of the floor to provide a channel leading to the drain13. An aperture 26 is preferably drilled through the wall of the drain.A drain tube 27 may be placed in the groove 24, or a strip of material29 such as that used to form the liner 16 may be placed forming aninverted U-shaped trough or channel within the groove 24. The linerstrip 29 terminates slightly below the level of the upper surface 28 ofthe floor 11.

As a further step of the operation, a nipple 30 may be applied to theliner 16, preferably at a point on the duct substantially spaced fromthe drain groove or channel 24. This nipple 30 is designed toaccommodate a hose fitting such as that of a garden hose. The nipple 30is normally closed by a plug 31.

A plastic coating is then applied to the exposed surface of the liner16, the edges of the coating extending beyond the liner 16 and coming incontact with the wall and floor, respectively. After the resin is cured,usually the surface is sanded and a second layer is applied, the plasticbeing built up to perhaps one-quarter of an inch in thickness so as toform a solid duct which has the appearance of a coved strip.

It has been found that the construction described is extremely effectivein preventing wet basement floors, as the water is drained away throughthe duct 15 as quickly as it enters through the floor or wall, The drainholes may be cleaned after intervals and from time to time the plug 31may be removed and the nipple 30 attached to a hose connected to thewater supply. A slow stream of water is permitted to flow through theduct for perhaps fifteen minutes to completely flush out the foreignmaterial.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principlesof construction and operation of my improvement in method and apparatusfor waterproofing basements, and while I have endeavored to set forththe best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that changesmay be made within the scope of the following claims without departingfrom the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for confining the leakage of moisture from the juncturesbetween a Wall and the floor of a subsurface building, the apparatusincluding a waterproof duct formed by adjoining areas of the Wall andfloor and a diagonally extending waterproof connecting member sealed tothe wall at a point above the floor and sealed to the floor at a pointspaced from the wall,

and a drain connection communicating with the interior of said duct, thefloor being provided with apertures therethrough between the wall andthe area of connection of said connecting member and said fioor, saidconnecting member including openings aligned with said apertures throughthe floor and removable means normally closing said openings.

2. An apparatus for confining the leakage of moisture from the juncturesbetween a wall and the floor of a subsurface building, the apparatusincluding a Waterproof duct formed by adjoining areas of the wall andfloor and a diagonally extending waterproof connecting member sealed tothe wall at a point above the floor and sealed to the floor at a pointspaced from the wall,

and a drain connection communicating with the interior of said duct,said wall including hollow cavities normally not communicating with thewall surfaces, and in which the wall includes an aperture directlyconnecting the interior of said duct with one of said cavities, and inwhich said connecting means includes an opening aligned with saidaperture, and removable means normally closing said aperture.

3. The method of controlling the seepage of liquid at the juncturebetween the wall and floor of a sub-surface basement and the like, themethod consisting in applying a band of adhesive to the wall along anarea parallel to, and spaced above the floor, applying a band ofadhesive to the floor along an area parallel to and spaced from thewall, applying a strip of flexible material between the bands ofadhesive to extend generally diagonally there between, coating saidstrip with a waterproof plastic material capable of setting to form atough resilient waterproof covering on said strip to form a Waterproofduct at the juncture between the wall and floor and with which saidaperture communicates, and providing a drain passage communicating withthe interior of the duct.

4. The method of controlling the seepage of liquid at the juncturebetween the wall and floor of a sub-surface basement and the like, themethod consisting in forming at least one aperture in the wall closelyadjacent to the floor, applying a band of adhesive to the wall along anarea parallel to, and spaced above the floor and above the aperture,applying ,a band of adhesive to the floor along an area parallel to andspaced from the wall, applying a strip of flexible material between thebands of adhesive to extend generally diagonally therebetween, coatingsaid strip with a waterproof plastic material capable of setting to forma tough resilient waterproof covering on said strip to form a waterproofduet at the juncture between the wall and floor and with which saidaperture communicates and providing a drain passage communicating withthe interior of the duct.

5. The method of controlling the seepage of liquid at the juncturebetween the wall and floor of a sub-surface basement and the like, themethod consisting in forming at least one aperture in the floor, closelyadjoining the wall, applying a band of adhesive to the wall along anarea parallel to, and spaced above, the floor, applying a band ofadhesive to the floor along an area parallel to, and spaced from, thewall, applying a strip of flexible material between the bands ofadhesive to extend generally diagonally therebetween, coating said stripwith a waterproof plastic material capable of setting to form a toughresilient waterproof covering on said strip to form a waterproof duct atthe juncture between the wall and floor and with which said aperturecommunicates and providing a drain passage in said floor communicatingwith the interior of the duct.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,734,777 11/1929 Pike 52-3()3 X2,147,035 2/1939 Henderson 52303 X 2,717,513 9/1955 Smart 52303 X2,948,993 8/1960 Marchi 52-169 DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Examiner.

P. C. KANNAN, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN APPARATUS FOR CONFINING THE LEAKAGE OF MOISTURE FROM THE JUNCTURES BETWEEN A WALL AND THE FLOOR OF A SUBSURFACE BUILDING, THE APPARATUS INCLUDING A WATERPROOF DUCT FORMED BY ADJOINING AREAS OF THE WALL AND FLOOR AND A DIAGONALLY EXTENDING WATERPROOF CONNECTING MEMBER SEALED TO THE WALL AT A POINT ABOVE THE FLOOR AND SEALED TO THE FLOOR AT A POINT SPACED FROM THE WALL, AND A DRAIN CONNECTION COMMUNICATING WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID DUCT, THE FLOOR BEING PROVIDED WITH APERTURES THERETHROUGH BETWEEN THE WALL AND THE AREA OF CONNECTION OF SAID CONNECTING MEMBER AND SAID FLOOR, SAID CONNECTING MEMBER INCLUDING OPENINGS ALIGNED WITH SAID APERTURES THROUGH THE FLOOR AND REMOVABLE MEANS NORMALLY CLOSING SAID OPENINGS. 